Feline - Preface; Now: Spring

Preface; Now: Spring

I went into the inn. Persephone stayed in the forest near it. Her lack of a saddle would cause an uproar. The girl behind the counter was beautiful. She had two long, thick, dark braids, and blue eyes. She was chatting animatedly with some people at the bar. She saw me walk in, and winked at me. She pushed herself off the bar and came over to where I was. The bar was curved, in the Tarbin style. I saw a knife sticking out of her belt, and was glad I was not Waren. Relations where bad in these parts.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” She asked brightly, getting a mug from under the counter.

“I’m not.” I said.

“Do you proffer Tarbin drinks or Waren ones?” She asked. “We have a lovely Waren wine.”

“Honey, please.” I said.

“Do you prefer maple or butter?” She asked. Butter. She meant butterscotch, of course.

“Butter, please.” I said. She nodded and held the mug under a cask. Creamy liquid poured out of the tap. She slid it across the bar to me, and went back to her conversation.

The Honeymead was weak, as all honey mead was. Honey. It only meant it was not stiff enough to get you drunk easily.

“Could I have dinner soon?” I asked. “I have to get to bed early. For two, please.” I kept my eyes down. I could not hurt anyone, but I could alarm people. It was harder not to.

The girl grunted noncommittally, though I thought she sounded as though she was leaning towards a yes.

“I have money.” I added. I could see why she was suspicious; I was clearly young, and I was traveling on my own. “Actually, could I have dinner and as many fish scraps as is convenient?” I asked. She gave me a funny look, but this time she nodded. My assurance that she would be paid had done wonders.

She walked around, keeping up her conversation and starting several more.

“You’re clothes are strange.” She told me, putting a plate of food down in front of me.

“Like you said, I’m not from around here.” I was not in Tarbin linens, or the heavy canvasses the Waren people preferred. I was wearing all black. Cotton jersey tights and black leather boots up to my knees. I had on a floor length black skirt also cotton jersey, with zippers up the sides for easy riding, and a black long sleeve shirt of the same.

“That’s for sure.” She said. “Are you from an aquarium?” She asked. “Coi?”

“No.” I said curtly. She placed down my package of fish bits and walked off huffily. Apparently I was the first traveler she had met who didn’t want to tell her about my life. Oh well. She could be as disgruntled as she wanted. “I need a room.” I said. “And secluded stable stall.”

She nodded tersely.

The stall was fine. I left Persephone there with the fish, and went to my room.